Scottish Arts Club

Located at various places in central Edinburgh since its inception, the club was founded in 1872 by a group of practising artists all of whom were members of the RSA. The concept was simple in that it was regarded as a suitable and welcoming place for anyone interested in the arts. Within two years it had relocated appropriately to premises above Aitken & Dott, known then and still known today as upstanding art dealers. Other relocations followed until 1894 when the club purchased its present home at 24 Rutland Square again in central Edinburgh. In 1997 a large purpose-built studio was created giving superb natural light for painting and drawing and it is also used as an exhibition space and for talks, meetings and as a cinema room. Members past and present include William Oliphant Hutchison, Robert Scott Irvine, Elizabeth Blackadder, Samuel Peploe, J Thorburn Ross, Stephen J Carruthers, Christopher Wood and sculptor Alastair R Ross. The Scottish Arts Club is open to all branches of the creative arts, from artists and musicians to sculptors.